Pulse Lighting will once again be providing environmental lighting for The Boston Calling Music Festival which takes place May 22-24 in Boston’s City Hall Plaza. See below for images from last year’s Fall Boston Calling Festival, and to learn how Lighting Director Preston Hoffman changed the urban landscape with his lighting. Be sure to visit Pulse Lighting at www.concertlighting.com again soon to see photos from this year’s event, and the many additional events provided visual artistry by Pulse Lighting!

The Festival’s two main stages were built in the City Hall Plaza in front of the City Hall building at 90 degrees to one another.

Hoffman, well known for his work as a rock ‘n’ roll lighting designer, was commissioned by festival organizers Crash Line Productions to make the building rock for the occasion!

Hoffman started using Robe a couple of years ago after encountering their fixtures on a festival in Germany, and now uses Robe products for many of his larger projects. This one had extra resonance because it was his first chance to illuminate a landmark in his home city of three years … so he wanted to make it extra special!

He reached out to vendors including Boston-based East Coast Lighting & Production Services (ECLPS) whose Ted Goodspeed — knowing that Robe was planning to launch a new luminaire aimed at long throw applications — suggested that the time might be right to try the BMFL.

Pulse Lighting @ Boston Calling Music Festival

“I could see from several angles that moving lights were the way to go with this one,” said Hoffman. The large concrete constructed City Hall, with cantilevered upper stories, was built in 1968 as part of a major urban redevelopment plan, and is famous for its imposing — and controversial — architecture.

The light colored appearance immediately suggested projection effects, as well as being lit with glowing solid colors.

The 12 x BMFL Spots were double hung on a truss rigged between two ground-supported towers located centrally at the FOH position between the two stages in the City Hall Plaza, throwing at least 100 meters onto the face of the building.

His first impression was they are “BRIGHT! So bright that I couldn’t believe what I was seeing!”

Hoffman created a selection of different looks ranging from crisp multi-colored gobo combinations and texturing, to simple single hues to subtle, rippling animations.

Pulse Lighting @ Boston Calling Music Festival

The power of the BMFL Spots even when in the darker saturates like red, green and blue or when using multiple effects, was highly effective.

“Patterns were vital to the project. The gobo selection was nice and ideal for both projected and aerial effects”. He commented that using the “amazing” dual graphics wheel he could effectively edge-blend the projected images — almost as if they were a wide-screen video artwork – right across the full surface area.

Other features impressing him included the speed of the 5 — 55 degree zoom.

During two long nights of programming, he first mixed a base color palette and then started experimenting with gobo looks and overlays as well as utilizing the Macros to create stunning effects.

Overall, based on this experience he declares BMFL Spots “beyond spectacular”, and having seen their massive potential first-hand he can’t wait to specify them on future work.

The BMFL Spots also caught the eye of several guest LDs who lit bands performing at the Festival, and asked constantly about the light sources, with many thinking the effects were created by large-format projectors.

He was also really excited to be the first LD in the U.S. to use BMFL Spots on an architectural installation.

ABOUT PULSE

Pulse Lighting works with bands, concerts, festivals and events all over the country. Whether you need design consultation, a new lighting system installed, a full-time lighting director for a tour, or simply some short-term equipment rental, Pulse has got you covered. Artistry plus execution. That’s Pulse Lighting. Learn More...